Summary

This study explores the relationship qualities and the
subjective meanings that motivate adolescent behavior. More
specifically, this study seeks to examine the nature and meaning of
adolescent relationship experiences (e.g., with family, peers, and
dating partners) in an effort to discover how experiences associated
with age, gender, race, and ethnicity influence the meaning of dating
relationships. The study further investigates the relative impact of
dating partners and peers on sexual behavior and contraceptive
practices, as well as involvement in other problem behaviors that can
contribute independently to sexual risk taking. The longitudinal
design of the Toledo Adolescent Relationships Study (TARS) includes a
schedule of follow-up interviews occurring one, three, and five years
after the initial interview. Three waves of data have been collected
(2001, 2002, and 2004) and a fourth wave is scheduled for collection
(2006). Data were collected from adolescent respondents through
structured in-home interviews utilizing laptop computers. In-depth
interviews were conducted at the first wave with a subsample (n=100)
of the respondents. Parent data was collected via a short,
self-administered questionnaire at the first wave.

Geographic Coverage

Restrictions

This data collection may not be used for any purpose other than statistical reporting and analysis. Use of these data to learn the identity of any person or establishment is prohibited. To protect respondent privacy, all data files in this collection are restricted from general dissemination. To obtain these restricted files, researchers must agree to the terms and conditions of a Restricted Data Use Agreement.

Time Period(s)

Date of Collection

Data Collection Notes

Sample

The sampling frame was derived from public and private
school enrollment records in Lucas County, Ohio. School attendance,
however, was not a requirement for inclusion. A stratified, random
sample (n=1,316) was then drawn from all 7th, 9th, and 11th grade
youth residing in Lucas County in the fall of 2000.

Universe

Adolescents in the 7th, 9th, and 11th grade and their
parents in Lucas County, Ohio.

Original Release Date

Version Date

Version History

Notes

The public-use data files in this collection are available for access by the general public. Access does not require affiliation with an ICPSR member institution.

One or more files in this data collection have special restrictions. Restricted data files are not available for direct download from the website; click on the Restricted Data button to learn more.

The citation of this study may have changed due to the new version control system that has been implemented.

This study was originally processed, archived, and disseminated by Data Sharing for Demographic Research (DSDR), a project funded by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).